Helping people is in his blood

MortgageBrokerNews is continuing its series of features on the finalists for Broker of the Year in both categories -- the under 25 employees and the 25 and over. This year’s group is the most diverse, spanning the country. Winners in both categories will be named at the upcoming Canadian Mortgage Awards on May 10 at the Liberty Grand in Toronto.

MortgageBrokerNews is continuing its series of features on the finalists for Broker of the Year in both categories -- the under 25 employees and the 25 and over. This year’s group is the most diverse, spanning the country. Winners in both categories will be named at the upcoming Canadian Mortgage Awards on May 10 at the Liberty Grand in Toronto.

 
Finalist in the Mortgage Broker of the Year (Fewer than 25 Employees) category
 
David Wild, DLC, Regional Mortgage Group, Red Deer, Alberta 
 
Helping people has always been in David Wild’s blood – whether it was volunteering and fundraising for Ronald McDonald House, women’s shelters or children cancer foundations, or trying to rebuild a client’s bad credit and eventually put them into the home of their dreams.
 
“Prior to starting with Regional Mortgage Corporation I was in the finance business for over eight years working with people with damaged credit to get their credit rating re-established,” says Wild, of DLC’s Regional Mortgage Group. “My friend Dave McNabb started up Regional Mortgage and persuaded me over a number of years to make the move to the mortgage industry and join him at Regional Mortgage Corporation.”
 
So in the winter of 2002, Wild took the exam and became a mortgage agent.
 
“When I started with Regional Mortgage we had a small office of four agents working out of a small neighborhood retail mall location. A short time later Dave and I purchased our current building in Red Deer and renovated it.”
 
Six years ago Wild became partner and the Broker of Record at Regional Mortgage Corporation, joining the Dominion Lending Centres team in the fall of 2010.
 
“Over the years we have grown our company from four to include 16 agents and two support staff. We have two offices, one in Red Deer and one in Spruce Grove, Alberta,” he says. “Joining the DLC network has been a tremendous asset to building our company and to give the agents all the tools to be able to succeed! It is very satisfying to see them grow their business through hard work and dedication.”
 
Wild credits an aggressive online presence through Facebook, Twitter, and Kijiji to reach out to past and present clients, but underlines his two greatest referral sources as his realtor and new home building partners.
 
“They also know that the mortgage will get done effectively and with the least amount of stress for their clients,” says Wild.
 
Wild has been married for 39 years to “my biggest supporter Wendy”. 
 
Parents to daughters Kimberly and  Danielle grandparents to Levi (age 13) and Liam (2), “that keep us busy in our down time,” he laughs. “Summers are spent enjoying time at the trailer by the lake and golfing with family and friends.”
 
But it is Wild’s passion to help others that shines through every time.
 
“I have been involved with our charity golf/build a kid to cure for the past 10 years and have been the chair of the board, for the past 8 years.  Thus far, we have raised over $1.4 million for children’s charities like Kids Cancer Care Foundation, Ronald McDonald House, Red Deer Hospital foundation and the Central Alberta Women’s Emergency Shelter just to name a few.”
 
A few indeed. Just last year Wild helped to raise over $189,000.
 
“I think there are many keys to the success that I have experienced over the past year,” he reflects. “Number one is always thinking of the client’s needs first and foremost. What is the best product for their needs and how do we get it for them is paramount! Secondly is being involved in the community with the volunteer work and the different associations associated with my referral network.”
 
But like any broker who reaches the nomination stage, he is quick to tip his hat to his staff.
 
“The years of experience within our office and the team concept that is in our office is the best in the industry. We all work together when it comes to advertising ideas and promotions that we run,” says Wild. “We all want to see that all of our agents are successful.”
 
The awards sell out every year, and with only four tables left, we hope you don't miss out this year!
 
For a full list of finalists and to reserve your place at the industry’s biggest night visit www.canadianmortgageawards.com